NEWS
Jack White has spoken out against the U.S. Treasury Department’s reported plan to add President Donald Trump’s signature to all newly printed U.S. paper money. The musician described the idea as unnecessary self promotion, especially at a time when many Americans are dealing with serious financial hardship.
In a detailed Instagram post shared on Friday (March 27), White reacted sarcastically to the news. “Oh how humble!” he wrote. “But why stop there donnie? Why don’t you use your small hands to sign into law that your oh so stern orange face appears on the front of the hundred dollar bill as well?”
Historically, U.S. banknotes have only included the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and the Treasurer. Trump’s name being added would represent the first instance of a current president having their signature printed on circulating paper currency.
White linked the decision to the financial challenges many citizens are currently facing. He specifically mentioned rising fuel costs, which he connected to Trump’s military actions involving Iran that began on Feb. 28.
“TSA agents are selling plasma to pay rent while he takes the day off, cheats at golf, and bombs other countries for fun,” he wrote. “Gas prices are surging as a worldwide crisis that HE caused rages in the Middle East; it’s the perfect time to joke on fox ‘news’, visit Graceland, and sign into law to have your bloated, cocky signature on all U.S. currency!”
White also criticized what he sees as a lack of accountability from Congress. He described Trump as “a manipulative, loophole finding, egomaniacal, conman” and suggested that too much authority had been allowed without proper oversight. He also questioned whether rules surrounding Trump’s business related products such as branded Bibles, sneakers, and collector coins were being properly enforced.
“I’m sure Congress is regulating all that though and not just letting him break the law and profit from his office,” he wrote sarcastically. “We’re in good hands.”
White ended his post with a controversial suggestion, while also noting the legal risks, that people could consider crossing out Trump’s signature on new bills, using the hashtag #redactedbanknotes.
“Wouldn’t it be funny if someone started a campaign to black magic marker line out his name every time you receive a new banknote?” he wrote. “I think that’s against the law to deface U.S. currency, so I would never suggest that becoming a nationwide campaign…but is everyone allowed to break the law when they feel like it or just donnie?”
This is not the first occasion White has publicly criticized the Trump administration recently. Earlier this year he also reacted to the president’s decision to declare war on Iran, posting on social media: “Behold the leader of the ‘Board of Peace.’”
White remains one of the most respected figures in modern rock music. As one half of The White Stripes, he played a major role in shaping the early 2000s garage rock movement. The band’s hit “Seven Nation Army” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and earned the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. Albums such as Elephant (2003) and Icky Thump (2007) both entered the top 10 of the Billboard 200. His first solo record Blunderbuss (2012) also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In 2025, he was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The White Stripes.
Tom Morello has called off two scheduled performances as he focuses on supporting his mother following her recent hospital stay.
In a message shared on Instagram on Thursday, the Rage Against the Machine guitarist revealed that he was flying back to the United States to be with his 102 year old mother, Mary Morello, and help care for her.
"Dear friends, fans and comrades, my dear mom, Mary Morello is back in the hospital and I'm headed home to help look after her," he wrote. "Rocking the UK & Europe with you all this summer has been incredible, and I can't wait to be back with you and continue this movement that we started. With much love, unity and power."
The guitarist had been scheduled to perform at the Tons Of Rock Festival in Oslo, Norway, along with the BBK Music Legends Festival in Bilbao, Spain this weekend.
Earlier this month, Morello also cancelled planned appearances in London and Paris, with ticket holders offered refunds through their original point of purchase. However, he still made it to the Pinkpop festival in the Netherlands.
"I am sorry I had to miss a few shows due to my mom's health," the 62 year old noted. "The incredibly resilient, indefatigable Mary Morello at 102 is now feeling somewhat better and has ordered me back into the fray, charging me with rocking you and fighting fascism six strings at a time."
At this point, Morello has not announced when he expects to return to the stage.
Mary Morello, the musician's mother, built a career as a teacher and activist. She also helped establish the anti censorship organization Parents for Rock and Rap during the late 1980s.
